Matildas beat Japan to make World Cup

Australia will play in next year's women's World Cup after a battling 1-0 Asian Cup semi-final win over Japan in China on Thursday.

The Matildas secured their spot in Sunday's final and the 2011 World Cup in Germany thanks to striker Kathryn Gill's cool finish just before half-time.

Gill's opportunity came after Japanese goalkeeper Kaihori Ayumi made a hash of claiming a cross, the ball eventually finding its way to Gill who calmly slotted into the net from the edge of the penalty area.

The Matildas will now have a chance to win the Asian Cup for the first time on Sunday when they take on either North Korea or China in the final.

The victory was a hard-fought one for the Matildas with the more fancied Japanese dominating possession but failing to make it count on the scoreboard.